Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called on the state's farmers to cultivate their land year-round, citing a need to bolster the struggling economy. Singh addressed attendees at the MSFDS Auditorium in Imphal during the PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas on Friday. The event coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasing the 24th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme from Gujarat.
Nationwide, the government transferred 18,680 crore rupees to 9.34 crore farmers. In Manipur, 14,740 farmers received a total of 2.95 crore rupees in financial aid. Singh urged a shift away from single-crop cycles that leave fields barren for six months. He tasked the Agriculture Department with enabling double cropping across the state. The Chief Minister stressed that stronger agricultural output serves as a vital pillar for reviving livelihoods.
During the ceremony, Singh distributed various forms of assistance and equipment. Farmer groups received 60,000 rupees each for water pumps, 50,000 rupees for vermicompost units, and 1 lakh rupees for mini oil mills. Officials also handed out mustard seeds, bee boxes, pea seeds, gram seeds, and knapsack sprayers. Regarding organic initiatives, the state has targeted 400 hectares for cultivation this year, matching the previous phase's output.
Singh noted that the current crisis has hit local revenue and daily wage earners hard. He championed better market access for organic producers and suggested opening dedicated retail outlets. Regarding the distribution of benefits, Singh stated, "Honoured to grace the PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas at the MSFDS Auditorium, Imphal, today and delighted to distribute benefits under various schemes of the Agriculture Department." The event included state MLAs, department officials, and local farmers.
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